Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Planning & Zoning Commission met April 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

Planning and Zoning Chairman R. C. Campbell called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Upon call of the roll, the following Commissioners were physically present:

Regular Commissioners: Steve Ragan, Chairman R. C. Campbell, Dan Doerfler, Matt May, Larry Perkins

Regular Commissioners Absent: Cathy Mitteer, Vice Chairman Dennis Downey

Alternate Commissioners Present:

Alternate Commissioner Absent: Colleen Brinkoetter

Other Staff Present: Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Building Inspector Dustin Pruitt, Village Attorney Andrew Jarmer, Stephanie Brown (Chastain & Associates Engineer representative)

Others Present: Residents Zeb and Pam Poland, Michael and Jennifer Brown, James Love, Ajay Seth, Shannon O'Conner, Darryl Dougherty, John and Cinda Chambalain

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION: Commissioner Ragan made a Motion to approve the minutes of February 23, 2023 as presented and Commissioner Doerfler seconded the motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 5- Ragan, Campbell, Doerfler, Perkins, May

Nays: 0 - None

Absent: 3 - Brinkoetter, Mitteer, Downey

Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC HEARING #1

Request by Shannon O'Connor for Text Amendment to Development Ordinance Section 4.8 to Amend the Permitted and Special Use Chart to Create a Special use for Kennel in Areas Zoned C1 and C2 in Accordance with Development Ordinance Section 9.11.

Administrator Applebee explained the request for the text amendment to include doggie day care and kennels. Village Attorney Jarmer further explained that this type of business is not currently included in the development ordinance so it would need to be added.

Shannon O'Connor, owner of the proposed kennel and doggie day care, spoke to the Board and explained her business plan and details. They have identified a need in the Village along with their target audience. She explained the details of their daily operations along with features of the 7,000-sf building. Their plan will include an 8-foot sound absorbing vinyl fence, a sunshade canvas, premium turf and appropriate drainage, waste clean-up and fire protection alarms. While the total maximum capacity will be 50 dogs per day only 10- 15 will be outside at a time while being supervised. There will be a large indoor play area to accommodate weather changes.

Administrator Applebee said Mt. Zion has a similar facility that has been very beneficial for the Village. Chairman Campbell said it's a well-thought-out plan and asked for input from residents and the Board alike.

Various residents spoke of their concerns about lack of green space, noise, sanitation, location of fencing on building, safety and security of animals at all times, and how the Village financially benefits from this potential choice of business. Lengthy discussion ensued on these topics and O'Connor eagerly addressed those concerns and was willing to make concessions for those concerns.

During the discussion Commissioner Perkins said that not every possible scenario can be anticipated so including all design details of the building and operation within the special use permit would be in everyone's best interest.

MOTION: Commissioner Ragan made a Motion to recommend approval of the text amendment to the Development Ordinance request as presented and Commissioner Perkins seconded the motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 5- Ragan, Campbell, Doerfler, Perkins, May

Nays: 0 - None

Absent: 3 - Brinkoetter, Mitteer, Downey

Motion declared carried.

Request by Shannon O'Connor for special use to use the real property commonly known as 350 S. Route 51, Forsyth, Illinois and legally described as SAWYER & HAYS RESVY OF PT OF LOTS 2 & 3 OF E O SMITH ADDN OF O L TO FORSYTH LTS 1, 2, & 3 00BK3022/41 (EX HWY) (PIN: 07-07-14-104-001), as a Kennel as defined in Development Ordinance Section 2.2. The request is made in accordance with Development Ordinance Section 9.12. The property is currently zoned C1 and no request to vary the zoning has been made.

Chairman Campbell opened the discussion on this special permit request.

It was agreed that the following terms and building attributes must be included in the special use permit description: 8-foot sound absorbing vinyl fence, sunshade, turf with proper drainage, fencing to be on south side of building, fire protection, agreed no dogs after 10 p.m., and rotating schedule for dogs to be outside. O'Connor confirmed that there will be live cameras on at all times. Chairman Campbell summarized the residents' comments and Commissioner May asked the residents if these concessions help mitigate their concerns and they agreed. The Village is responsible for enforcing special permits terms and conditions.

MOTION: Commissioner Perkins made a Motion to recommend approval of the special use permit including the agreed upon terms listed above and Commissioner Doerfler seconded the motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 5- Ragan, Campbell, Doerfler, Perkins, May

Nays: 0 - None

Absent: 3 - Brinkoetter, Mitteer, Downey

Motion declared carried.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Review and Discussion of Forsyth Code of Ordinances - discussion.

This will be an ongoing

Chairman Campbell and Administrator Applebee explained how this long-term review process will work and the need for it to be done. The assignment is to read Division 1 and 2 and be prepared to discuss any changes or updates at the next meeting.

No Motion needed.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Perkins made a Motion to adjourn and Commissioner Ragan seconded the Motion. Motion was approved by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/final_packet(1).pdf